Zhuo Yun eyed the "Master of Yun Xiu Studio" before her with suspicion, then looked at Li Xin.
"Sister Li Xin, why did you bring someone from Da Gan? Could it be..."
Li Xin explained, "This gentleman was traveling in Da Liang. I saw him playing chess with the Chess Demon outside the Purple Green Pavilion. The Chess Demon was no match for him at all. When I arrived, I overheard others mention that the Chess Demon had already lost five consecutive games."
Zhuo Yun was taken aback.
Chess was popular in Da Liang, and occasionally masters would have matches.
The Chess Demon was a renowned Go master in the capital of Da Liang, obsessed with the game. Against her and the Chess Saint, he had no chance of winning.
However, in the capital of Da Liang, he was already considered second only to her, the Chess Saint, and Li Xin in chess skills. Even Li Xin would likely only have an eighty percent chance of winning against the Chess Demon.
A player with such overwhelming dominance over the Chess Demon was truly rare.
Zhuo Yun could not help but look at Liang Xiao with newfound respect. "Sir, you humbly claim to be merely familiar with chess, but I see confidence in your eyes and hear pride in your words. You must surely be very proud of it."
"If I were to deny it, it would make me seem hypocritical," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
"But do you know, sir, that superb chess skill does not equate to mastery of the chess way?" Zhuo Yun reminded him.
Liang Xiao pouted. "As a chess player, would I not understand such a simple principle? I heard the chess hall has been recruiting young people who have mastered the chess way. I came here by reputation to offer my services and stay for a few days. I hope the Chess Saint will not find me bothersome."
Zhuo Yun's delicate eyebrows furrowed. "The chess hall only accepts players of both virtue and skill. If you wish to stay, sir, you must first gain the hall's approval. You likely know Marquis An Guo. If you cannot prove yourself, it will be difficult for my master and me."
With that, Zhuo Yun turned to Li Xin. "Sister Li Xin, may I test this Master of Yun Xiu Studio? Is that alright?"
Li Xin secretly wrung her hands and nodded. "Test him then..."
Zhuo Yun then looked back at Liang Xiao. "I request that you compose a poem with the theme of 'Square and Round, Motion and Stillness'!"
Upon hearing this, Zhuo Zifang and the others held their breath.
What kind of test was this?
Especially Zhuo Zifang and Luo Qingxue, who had studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, were bewildered.
They had never heard of such a way to test one's mastery of the chess way.
Liang Xiao smiled faintly. "I await your instruction."
Zhuo Yun's expression was proud as she stated word by word, "Square like the chessboard, Round like the chess pieces, Motion like living stones, Stillness like dead stones!"
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone in the chess hall gasped in amazement.
Zhuo Zifang sighed. "Square, like the board; Round, like the stones; Motion, like living pieces; Stillness, like dead ones. Xiao Yun's understanding of the chess way is indeed unique." 138 Reading Net.
At this moment, Zhuo Zifang felt a rare sense of relief.
This proved that Zhuo Yun had truly been diligently studying the chess way and not just trying to escape an arranged marriage.
But soon, Zhuo Zifang began to worry about Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao seemed to have never played chess before.
Even Li Xin was confused.
She had brought him here at Liang Xiao's request, so she could only fabricate a reason about his superb chess skills.
However, she could now see that Zhuo Yun also suspected Liang Xiao's motives for coming to the chess hall, and "Square and Round, Motion and Stillness" was clearly meant to put him in a difficult position.
Within a few breaths, everyone was lost in their own thoughts.
Liang Xiao, unhurried, said, "Square like righteousness, Round like wisdom, Motion like talent, Stillness like satisfaction."
As soon as he spoke, everyone was struck as if by lightning, and the hall fell into a profound silence.
After a long moment, Zhuo Zifang clapped his hands in admiration. "Marvelous! Square is like practicing benevolence and righteousness, Round is like employing wisdom, Motion is like displaying talent, and Stillness is like comprehending one's purpose. Playing chess is a process of applying wisdom. Every sentence is devoid of chess pieces, yet every sentence is inseparable from chess."
Zhuo Yun stared blankly at Liang Xiao, her face paling.
She had intended to make this Master of Yun Xiu Studio retreat, but he had actually...
Just then, a sigh came from behind the screen. "The metaphors are vivid and contain rich life philosophies, dissecting the way of dealing with people. Comparing the two, the superiority is clear. This young man is truly a great talent."
Zhuo Yun was speechless.
Even her master praised this person so highly?
Luo Qingxue and the others rejoiced in secret.
Li Xin was even more stunned, her heart in a turmoil.
He had actually answered correctly and was praised by her grandmother, his understanding of the chess way even more profound than Zhuo Yun's?
Only Yue Wenxin narrowed her eyes, sizing up the "Master of Yun Xiu Studio" with evident hostility.
The faint sound of footsteps came from behind the screen, and everyone turned to look, finally seeing the Chess Saint herself.
White-haired, clad in coarse linen, with kind eyes.
Though well past seventy, she looked no older than fifty, and must have been a breathtaking beauty in her youth.
"Master..." Zhuo Yun lowered her head in shame.
The Chess Saint looked at Liang Xiao. Seeing his shabby clothes, she nodded slightly. "What was your record against the Chess Demon?"
"I was fortunate to win all five games, but I felt immense pressure. My winning margin was probably seventy percent," Liang Xiao explained.
The Chess Saint smiled. "Good. This old woman no longer accepts disciples, but I will permit you to stay at the chess hall. However, you will be under the supervision of the Xuan Guards. Here, you may freely peruse the insights and chess manuals of past masters. The chess way has declined over the years, and we must work together to revitalize it."
Liang Xiao immediately bowed in thanks. "I have the same intention."
Thus, Liang Xiao gained the Chess Saint's approval and stayed at the chess hall.
Zhuo Zifang, along with Luo Qingxue and the others, took their leave, not daring to interact further with Liang Xiao.
On this day, the Chess Saint finally appeared. Liang Xiao, Zhuo Yun, Li Xin, and a group of chess hall disciples gathered to listen to the Chess Saint's teachings.
"A chess player should not focus solely on skill; one must possess art, character, principle, rules, and etiquette. Only then can it be called the chess way. This Master of Yun Xiu Studio has already grasped the essence of the chess way..."
Over a hundred chess hall players, half of them women, looked at Liang Xiao with doubt.
Could such an unremarkable young man solve Miss Zhuo's riddle?
Zhuo Yun remained silent.
She vaguely felt something was amiss.
This Master of Yun Xiu Studio was from Da Gan, and perhaps he had colluded with her grandfather and Liang Xiao.
However, Liang Xiao had indeed impressed her, even making her feel somewhat unconvinced.
This was the first time her master had spoken so highly of a stranger, and even considered the Master of Yun Xiu Studio's insights superior to her own.
After the meeting, Zhuo Yun could not help but ask Liang Xiao, "Do you know Marquis An Guo?"
"We have met a few times," Liang Xiao replied.
Zhuo Yun breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Liang Xiao with admiration and a smile.
Beside her, Yue Wenxin's eyebrows were tightly knitted as she stared intently at Liang Xiao.
As it was late, the Chess Saint arranged for Liang Xiao's accommodation, right next to Li Xin's.
Li Xin's courtyard was situated between Liang Xiao's and Zhuo Yun's.
The chess hall had a large number of Xuan Guards and Northern King's Guards dedicated to protection, a fact that outsiders found difficult to understand.
That night, the Xuan Guards responsible for guarding Liang Xiao and those from the palace on routine guard duty changed shifts.
Ten new Xuan Guards entered Liang Xiao's courtyard and bowed to him.
The person in charge was none other than He Zizhang!
It turned out that these were all Da Gan's Shadow Guards. Liang Xiao had submitted numerous requests regarding his visit to the chess hall, which Mu Cheng had approved. He had also instructed Ye Chengxiu to distribute Xuan Guard waist tokens to these Shadow Guards as identification.
Liang Xiao had barely exchanged a few words with He Zizhang and the others when a violent kicking sound was heard from outside.
"Boom!" Before the Shadow Guards could go to open the door, the solid wooden door was kicked down. Everyone then saw the woman standing at the entrance, clad in leather armor, her physique agile.
It was Yue Wenxin.